Giving Disciples Authority to Cast Out Unclean Spirits and Heal Sicknesses

We continue our study of the Gospel of Matthew, and before we know it, we have reached Chapter 10. Time flies like an arrow; life is like studying the Gospel of Matthew. Unknowingly, we arrive at Chapter 10, and when we reach Chapter 28, it concludes! As usual, let's consider the theme of this chapter. Why must we examine the theme? Because after examining the theme, it is easier to remember. Without a theme, it is impossible to remember.

Some advocate rapid Bible study, finishing the entire Bible in three days or a week. But what is gained? It seems like you know, but also like you don't. If you follow me in studying the Bible, I encourage you to grasp the theme no matter what, because the theme is just one sentence. Further down are the first subheading, second subheading, and third subheading, which you can easily remember once you store them in your brain. However, without a theme and subheadings, it will be difficult for us to remember. So, let's review the theme of the previous chapter: God gives authority to those with Mingding Destiny.

At the end of Matthew Chapter 9, Jesus is deeply moved, seeing many people troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. God has compassion for them. The Lord Jesus feels deeply that this generation passes on from generation to generation, and every generation is like this. This generation lives in the time of Jesus. Jesus sees them troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, suffering from various sicknesses and hardships.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

What is Jesus lamenting? It's that people are unwilling to be sent out by God. We must gradually understand the Bible. Do you think Jesus is saying pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest to others? Actually, He is saying it to you! In Chapter 10, Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all kinds of diseases. Then, He listed the names of the twelve apostles. What is this chapter really about? If we don't grasp the theme, it will be difficult to connect the dots.

Why do people not understand the Bible, or why do they read the Bible for many years and serve as pastors for many years, but when you ask them, they talk nonsense? It's because they don't know the theme of that chapter. They only see the trees and not the forest. Such people are quite detestable!

In fact, many people do things without considering the effect or return; they just do blindly. Especially some people in our generation today are not like Jesus or His disciples, which is very common. Did you see Jesus calling the twelve disciples to Him and giving them violins to sing on the streets? No! Did Jesus call the twelve disciples to Him and have them buy braised beef, roast chicken, and roast duck to invite people to eat? No! What did Jesus send them out to do? He gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal all kinds of diseases!

Today, the Christians we see are Christians without authority, but they are very skilled at stirring up this emotion and that emotion. The problem is, we do a lot of things that Jesus didn't do. We don't do what Jesus did, but we do a bunch of things that Jesus didn't do, pursuing this emotion and that emotion, this feeling and that feeling. But what's the use of these feelings? They are useless!

The point is, Jesus called twelve disciples to Him, didn't train them much, and gave them authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal all kinds of diseases. Chapters 8 and 9 described Jesus demonstrating to them. After the demonstration, He sent them out to do what Jesus did. So, being like Jesus or not like Jesus is critical! We must know that being a disciple means being like Jesus! If you just want to be a believer, you don't have to be like Jesus. If you just want to receive some grace, it's the same in any church. But being a disciple means you absolutely cannot be unlike Jesus!

The previous chapter talked about the Lord Jesus sending out labourers. The theme of this chapter is the Lord giving them authority and sending them out. But before sending them out, He gave them a very short training. What was the training that the Lord Jesus gave them? Previously, it was telling them what to do. First, let them go out and give them authority to cast out unclean spirits and heal all kinds of diseases.

Here, it talks about what to do when they go out. What are they doing these things for? To bring back the lost sheep of the house of Israel, not to bring back the lost wolves. Some churches brought in lost wolves, and later they found that the sheep in the fold were decreasing every day and going into the wolf's belly! So, the church is not about recruiting all kinds of people. Many churches today are doing it wrong! You don't have to think that what I'm saying is right; you should read the Bible carefully.

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles; do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:5-8)

What is freely received? It's authority! This is a very regrettable generation. Many people pursue this emotion and that emotion, singing hymns, and putting on programs. There are too many Christians like this! There are very few Christians who grasp God's heart, who don't want to do what the Lord wants us to do. Many churches prepare food for labourers to eat. When did Jesus tell us to do this? Jesus never did such a thing! You attract a bunch of gluttons with food. What the Lord Jesus' authority attracts is a group of disciples.

All who desire to have authority will become disciples of Jesus Christ. Back then, I prepared a lot of braised beef, roast chicken, and roast duck, and as a result, I attracted a bunch of gluttons. Were there one or two sheep among them? Yes, but they were rare. Thinking about it now, it's an absurd thing. But many churches still do this today. That's their aspiration; there's nothing we can do. Let them continue to do it! But what should we do? We should do what the Lord Jesus Christ commanded the disciples to do.

Some people come and receive a lot of grace, but they speak nonsense: Actually, I didn't get healed among you! One of our leaders said to a sister: Look at so-and-so, who is serving you diligently every day. The other person said: Not every day, right? They were quibbling over the words. Fortunately, she didn't encounter me; if she had encountered me, I would have kicked her out!

What I want is not wolves; what I want are the lost sheep of the house of Israel. If they are God's sheep, bring them into God's kingdom. If they are wolves in sheep's clothing, can I not kick them out? Do you want to be a wolf or a sheep? If you say you haven't been delivered yet, it's the demon speaking nonsense in you. It doesn't matter; I forgive you and I release you. If you are extremely selfish at your core, then you need to know that selfish people cannot be disciples!

Actually, to say something unpleasant, I really don't care about other people's offerings! What do I need offerings for? I don't want people's offerings; I want the lost sheep of the house of Israel. I want to bring the disciples of the Lord Jesus into His church and then build God's glorious church together. So, freely received authority should also be freely given. Where does our ability come from? It comes from God! So, give it freely. Give it to whom? Give it to new disciples.

Brothers and sisters, rejoice secretly when you receive grace among us! But if you don't want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, what are you staying here for? We are all about paying the price; there are no unwilling people. If you say you just want to be a straggler and蹭点热度, that's fine; we give you that grace. But if you are a wolf in sheep's clothing, even if your problems are solved today, all future problems will come upon you in double measure. Some people say: The Lord has healed me completely, but there is no such thing as a complete cure!

What does the Lord want us to do? It's to bring back the sheep that belong to the Lord Jesus. When we bring them back, what do we do? The Lord Jesus commanded very clearly to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Many churches today think that healing and deliverance are gifts, but this is not about gifts; it's about authority, about whether or not you are committed to doing what the Lord Jesus did.

Jesus started training 12 disciples. Later, He trained 70 disciples. In the year 100 AD, He trained several hundred disciples. In the year 1000 AD, He trained several thousand disciples. In the year 2000 AD, He trained several tens of thousands of disciples. By 2020, how many disciples did He train? Wasn't He still sending them out to do this? Many pastors today say: I don't have this gift! Is this about gifts? This is not about gifts. Are we doing what the Lord Jesus commanded us to do? If we don't do what the Lord Jesus commanded us to do, and at the same time point fingers at those Christians who do according to the Lord Jesus' commands, calling them heretics and charismatic, isn't that deadly?

Bringing Willing Sheep into God's Kingdom

Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you depart. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! (Matthew 10:9-15)

The twelve disciples went out with nothing, no shoes, no staff. What if the wolf comes? Will the wolf really come? Actually, the Lord Jesus is with us! We ourselves have the staff given by the Lord, and this staff is authority!

And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! (Matthew 10:14-15)

This is saying what we should do. Many Christians today are preaching a cheap gospel. The Gospel we preach is free, but it is priceless. But Christians today are cheap! Especially cheap! They insist that people believe. When some people don't believe and Christians see that they are poor, they still give them money every month. What is this for? Brothers and sisters, are you here to do charity or to be disciples of Jesus Christ? If you are doing charity, I advise you to do charity well.

There are some people among us who are not just messing around! We push some people who are unwilling to give offerings to give offerings because we want to break their curses. That's the best blessing for them. It's not that we need money, it's not that we need them to give offerings, but that they themselves need to give offerings. They need to come out of poverty. Some people among us feel like they are rich, so they give money to others. I used to do things like that, but that's not a blessing; that's cursing the other person! Some people give offerings to break the curse of poverty, but they return the offering to others. These are deadly things. Disciples are models of paying the price. The work we are doing today is bringing the willing sheep of God into God's kingdom.

What does God give us authority to do when He sends us out? It's not to go out and give away money to every household. But we don't even bring an extra tunic. I eat and use your things when I come to your house. Isn't this freeloading? People do it this way. With one look and one test, they know who are the Lord's sheep and who are not; they immediately know who are selfish guys and who are generous guys; who has the image of God and desires God's people to come, and who can squeeze water out of every penny.

Some people go to Din Tai Fung for dumplings. After eating, before wiping their mouths, they come to my room. I ask them where they've been, and they reply, To Din Tai Fung for dumplings. I ask why they didn't invite me. In their hearts, they think, Why would I invite you? I'm paying for the dumplings with my own money. Why would I bring you along? I tell you, this kind of person is quite detestable, especially since they have received much grace from me. They had depression, and I prayed and healed them.

The essence of selfishness is wolfishness. When I say this, don't think I'm craving those dumplings. I don't like them. I'm just testing them. Some people fail the test. When some bring food back from outside, I ask, Why did you only buy one portion? They ask, How many portions should I buy? I ask, What about mine? They say, Here, take this box. I say, No, I'm just testing you. You must know that there are two types of people in this world: those who belong to the Lord and those who belong to the world; sheep and wolves. Today, as disciples of the Lord Jesus, we are sent out with authority, like sheep among wolves.

Therefore, we must be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. How important it is to be as shrewd as snakes! We must know that snakes travel winding paths. We are like sheep entering a pack of wolves. To bring God's people into God's Kingdom is a complex matter. Without wisdom, without being as shrewd as snakes, you can't do this work. If you are not shrewd, you will not only fail to bring God's sheep into His Kingdom but will also be devoured by wolves. Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. We are not going out to harm people, but we must be full of wisdom, not foolishly rushing in only to be killed. Know that what we do is full of risk.

If things don't go well, we might be arrested, handed over to the council, and flogged. But even if arrested, it doesn't matter. We still bear witness for God because we have authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, and cast out demons—able to cast out unclean spirits and heal all kinds of diseases. In this era, even kings and rulers struggle with illnesses because they lack authority. They have many needs. So, we must testify, telling how this person was healed and that person was healed. After hearing, they will also want to be healed.

**But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20)**

So, do not worry or be afraid. The key is what we must do. We must discern which are the Lord's sheep and which are not. Jesus said:

**Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)**

Many people like to quote this, but I have rarely heard anyone explain it correctly. Some think this refers to whether we acknowledge Jesus before others. It is not! It is about Jesus sending out His disciples, training them to say that if someone acknowledges you or Jesus before others, then I will acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Whoever disowns me before you, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Don't just read the text blindly. You must understand the author's intent. Chapter 10 is about training the disciples, not about them going out and saying, I acknowledge Jesus as Lord! What good would that do? You are Jesus' disciple; do you need to say such nonsense?

## A Person's Enemies Will Be Members of His Own Household

So, let's stop wasting time and energy on those who are not the Lord's sheep, turning evangelism into moral blackmail. We don't need to force people to believe. If they acknowledge Jesus as Lord, they are the Lord's sheep. If not, so be it. If they are our family, it becomes a bit troublesome. You hope they can also receive this grace, but the Lord Jesus says:

**Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. (Matthew 10:34-36)**

When we are willing to become the Lord's disciples, we either transform our family or are persecuted by them. Think about it. If you belong to the Lord and your family belongs to the world, how can there be no conflict? There will definitely be conflict. When faced with this, many Christians choose gentle methods, which result in compromise. But where did Jesus teach us to compromise? If you thirst to become the Lord's disciple, thirst to be sent out to reap His harvest, the Lord will send you according to your thirst. Then you will find many difficulties ahead. The first difficulty is at home:

**Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37)**

According to this, anyone who loves their spouse more than the Lord is not worthy of being His disciple. Anyone who loves their job more than the Lord is not worthy of being His disciple.

**Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:38-39)**

Why do people not choose to be the Lord's disciple first when facing such situations at home? Because they find it a bit difficult. If they choose this, how will they live? Does the Lord not want you to live? No. The Lord wants you to live the life of a disciple. The key is what kind of life you choose to live. If you still live according to what you think is the life of an ordinary person, you will surely not live well. If you could live well, why would you need the Lord Jesus? If that path doesn't work, you must find another way and still follow the Lord. Then the question comes, this following of the Lord doesn’t seem easy. Following the Lord requires paying a price!

What we preach in Chinese Mingding Destiny is all about paying a price. Is there anything that doesn't require paying a price? Isn't the grace of the Lord Jesus freely given? What is freely given is for believers. Receiving grace refers to believers, but what the Lord Jesus wants is not believers, but disciples. You say, Lord, I believe in You. But do you really believe in God's word? Some people put the Lord aside when facing their families. What if the Lord also puts you aside? Some of us who face this dilemma can carefully read the above scriptures. This passage speaks heavily. If you ask me if you should continue living like this, ask Jesus, because I really cannot answer. How can you live without following the Lord Jesus? I don't know how to live. Sometimes we encounter situations like this:

**Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:21-22)**

Do not be afraid. There are too many things in this world. I always advise everyone to see through worldly things. Why? Because these things are not significant. In the end, we cannot escape God's judgment.

**Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)**

Do you have fear inside you? If you do not have fear, it means you are living peacefully. You also will not feel that God will destroy your body and soul in hell. You do not need to pay the price. You do not need to be the Lord's disciple. You do not need to ask the Lord to send you out. This passage is spoken to the twelve disciples, to let them know that if they want to serve God, they must pay such a price. Some say, I will not serve God. You serve God! Actually, this is difficult, because what the Lord Jesus wants are disciples, what the Lord Jesus wants are those who serve Him, what the Lord Jesus wants are those who pay the price. If you are not paying the price for the Lord Jesus, then are you the Lord's sheep or a wolf in sheep's clothing? Through paying the price, you are immediately distinguished before the Lord Jesus.

## Paying the price for God, Paying the price for Mingding Destiny

In this generation, there are countless Christians who do not pay the price, but the Bible does not say that you can be the Lord Jesus' disciple without paying the price. There is no such thing. If a person loves his job more than the Lord Jesus, loves his parents more than the Lord Jesus, loves his children more than the Lord Jesus, this person is not worthy of being the Lord Jesus' disciple.

This person will not receive the heavenly rewards and authority prepared for us by the Lord Jesus. Without authority, you cannot heal and deliver, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons, and of course, you will not receive authority. A person is a disciple of whatever he is willing to pay the price for. He is a servant of whoever he is willing to pay the price for. So the Lord Jesus taught His disciples:

**Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. (Matthew 10:40-42)**

Many people read this passage backwards. Actually, this passage is written for us disciples. If we go out and give people these graces, whoever it is, if they receive us according to our name, they receive the Lord Jesus. Receiving us according to our name is receiving the prophet according to the name of the prophet, and they will receive the prophet’s reward.

When we disciples go out and preach the authority and Mingding Destiny of the Lord Jesus, preach the gospel of paying the price, whoever is willing to give this disciple a cup of cold water because of the name of the disciple will certainly not lose their reward. Because they accept the gospel of paying the price that we preach, this gospel of paying the price and having power is the true gospel, definitely not the gospel of singing a hymn at home, being very moved, and then feeling good.

If you say your goal is to be a believer, it is okay to remain at the level of a believer. But God cuts off Christians who do not bear fruit. Even if we encounter many difficulties today, it does not matter! Even if we are flogged, it does not matter! Because being a disciple of Jesus Christ is our Mingding Destiny! Because we are born for this, we live for this, we die for this. Even if our family resists us, so what? Many people value family highly, but whether you have a family or not is not important. What is important is that we must be the Lord Jesus' disciples. This is our Mingding Destiny!

I have seen some pastors who do not teach this. They teach that family comes first. If family comes first, then is the Lord Jesus second? A person's enemies will be members of his own household. If we cannot uphold God's spiritual principles at home, where can we uphold them? This is a difficult question to answer. Someone comes and asks me, Should I continue living like this? If someone is hindering us from obtaining MIngding Destiny, then it doesn't matter whether you continue living like this. Why did we come into this world? For whom do we live? For whom do we die? Where do we place our focus? You will find the answer yourself.

May God bless everyone!